Hebrews – Lesson 2Jesus Better Than Angels

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Week 1 Recap THEMES

The supremacy of ChristA contrast of the imperfect and incomplete Old Covenant with the infinitely better New CovenantBelievers now have direct access to God through Christ• Jesus THE Creator of the Universe • Jesus THE Exact representation of God• Jesus THE Redeemer from Sin

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What Angels are NOT

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What Angels are NOT

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Angelology 101Why did Jews hold angels as highest beings next to God?

Angel sent to destroy Jerusalem (I Chr 21:15)God’s Angel to Prepare the Way (Ex 23:20-23)Angel of the Lord speaking to Balaam (Num 22:21-23, 34)Angel sent to kill 185,000 Assyrian men (2Chr 32:21, 2 Kings 19:35)Every individual has a guardian angel (Matt 18:10)

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Angelology 201Jews believed angels bridged the gap between God and man

God lives surrounded by heavenly hosts (Gen 28:12 , I Kings 22:19)Jews believed the angels gave Moses the 10 commandments (Acts 7:53, Gal 3:19)Paul warned against angel worship (Col 2:18)Entertaining angels heeded (Heb 13:1-3)Angels as the Army of the Lord (Joshua 5:13)

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Superiority of JesusAuthor does this by choosing proof texts in which the Son was given highest place

Psalm 2:7 – God’s SonDeut 32:43 – Atonement for his peoplePsalm 45:7 – God set him abovePsalm 102:26,27 – He will remainPsalm 110 - He sits at the right hand of God2 Sam 7:14 - Lets take a closer look

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Translation Confusion???2 Sam 7:14 - Lets take a closer look

It was originally a simple and direct reference to Solomon and has nothing to do with the Messiah.

Possible ExplanationThe Hebrew writer was quoting from the Septuagint, the GREEK version of the OT, which historically not always the same as the original Hebrew from which our Bible is translated.

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Writer Avoiding DangerDanger of putting a series of beings between man and GodAngels were God’s messengers in OTNothing Between Man and GodNothing Between Man and God

In Christianity there is no needJesus broke every barrier downHis blood gives us direct access

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Six WarningsWarning against drifting from “the things we have heard” (Heb 2:1-4)Warning against disbelieving the “voice” of God (Heb 3:7-14)Warning against degenerating from “the elementary principles of Christ” (Heb 5:11-6:20)Warning against despising “the knowledge of the truth” (Heb 10:26-39)Warning against devaluing “the grace of God” (Heb 12:15-17)Warning against departing from Him “who speaks” (Heb 12:25-29)

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The Salvation We Dare Not NeglectHebrews 2:1-4

1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,  4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

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Why Pay Attention to This Salvation?The Hebrew writer References the Law God made TWO promises when giving the Law

If you do these things (walk in My ways) I will BLESS youIf you don’t it is going to go BAD for you

Entire OT is a testimony that if you follow Jesus, you are eternally blessed.

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Unique Christian Revelation Hebrews 2:3b-4

Origin – The very Voice of God Himself- JesusTransmission – It came to the recipients of the Hebrew letter from men who had directly heard it from the lips of JesusEffectiveness – came with signs, wonders and deeds of power

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The Essential SufferingHebrew 2:16-18

16For assuredly He does not give help to the angels, but he gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make *propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. * propitiation is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, by which He fulfills the wrath of God

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Life of ChristChrist lived a very hard life

Tempted by the Devil – Matthew 4:1-11Betrayed by Judas (one of the 12) – Luke 22:47Deeply Overwhelmed to the point of death – Matthew 26:36-38Deeply Troubled by the death of Lazarus – John 11:33-34

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WHY?Why does He have to be betrayed? Why does He have to taste loss? Why does He have to feel hate? Why does He have to walk in that?Why does He have to be tempted? TO FEEL, SYMPATHIZE, UNDERSTAND, and HELP others who are going through them.

I Corinthians 10:13

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Next Week’s LessonLesson 3 – Jesus Better than Moses

Hebrews 3:1-19